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The head of the US Department of Homeland Security allegedly approved the purchase of Spirit Airline jets before learning that the airline did not actually own the planes – and that the aircraft lacked engines.

This bizarre incident was detailed in a report released on the end of the week, which recounted how the secretary and a former political strategist had recently arranged to buy ten Boeing 737 planes from Spirit Airlines. People familiar with the situation informed the outlet that the two intended to use the jets to expand removal flights – and for personal travel.

Those sources also stated that ICE officials had cautioned them that buying planes would be far more expensive than simply expanding current charter agreements.

Immigration officials confronting fierce backlash after video apparently shows unconscious man clutching infant during arrest.

Making the situation more complex, Spirit, which filed for bankruptcy proceedings for the second time in the summer, did not own the jets and their power plants would have had to be bought separately. The plan has since been paused, according to the investigation.

In the interim, Democrats on the House appropriations committee said in the autumn that during this fall's record-long federal shutdown, the Department of Homeland Security had already purchased two Gulfstream jets for $200 million.

“It has come to our attention that, in the midst of a federal shutdown, the United States Coast Guard entered into a single-source agreement with Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation to acquire two new G700 luxury jets to facilitate travel for the secretary and the deputy secretary, at a expense to the public of $200m,” Democratic representatives wrote in a communication to the DHS.

A DHS spokesperson informed the outlet that parts of its reporting about the aircraft acquisitions were incorrect but refused to offer additional clarification.

The legislature had previously authorized the so-called “major immigration bill” in July, which dedicates roughly $170 billion for immigration-related and border-related operations, a sum that makes Immigration and Customs Enforcement the most well-funded federal agency in the federal government.

In the autumn, it was revealed that the government was transporting individuals detained as part of its removal program in ways that violated their constitutionally protected rights, often by air.

Leaked data reviewed from charter airline GlobalX outlined the journeys of thousands of individuals who have been transported around the nation before deportation.